Intimidation factor: Nil. Locals keep coming in, chatting amongst themselves and catching up with their lives. It is almost like crashing a hen party.

Number of salespeople on floor: One, co-owner Eva White.

Response time: Immediate. I get a smile and wave on arrival.

Vibe: Neighbourhood coffee klatch meets sorority reunion.

Price range: From $8 for a scarf to $398 for a tan, leather Mackage coat in pristine condition.

Rating: Three mink stoles out of four.

If you are on the lookout for great designer consignment shops with major labels, you can’t beat “rich lady” areas like Yorkville, Oakville and The Kingsway.

FGR Exchange has been in The Kingsway for 20 years, starting out as Fashion Go Round and rebranding in January. It is a block west of Royal York Rd., my old stomping grounds. I have a long history in the ’hood; I went to Royal York Collegiate in the days before it was reinvented as the Etobicoke School of the Arts.

FGR Exchange has me from the bargain rack outside. A sign advertises “50 per cent off the lowest marked price.”

I’m so there. Hello? Isn’t that a Hilary Radley trench on the rack?

There is also a box of fancy footwear outside including a pair of leopard stilettos and a box of design books including Elton John’s Flower Fantasies.

The three mannequins in the window display are cheekily dressed with signs proclaiming “I am wearing Gucci;” “I am wearing Ralph Lauren;” and “I am wearing Michael Kors.” I love the black vinyl Harrods tote in the window marked at $39 and the Union Jack curling sweater in the boutique’s doorway.

The shop is small but cozy without being a traffic hazard, especially with the steady stream of local women coming in, greeting owner Eva White, rifling through the racks and catching up on their lives. All White needs is a coffee machine and some carbs — but then she would have to charge them rent. No one would leave.

White, who has a design background, is tall, blonde, stylish and svelte. I forgive her for being such a babe because she is so gregarious and fun.

A customer named Roxanna rocks a chocolate-brown leather coat with fur collar.

“I miss fur — I’m Russian,” she says.

She cashes out with a pile of goodies. How much was the coat?

“It was only $60,” she admits sheepishly. “I’m telling people it was $400.”

You go, girl.

Another regular takes the racks in from the outside when it starts to rain. “This place is such a treasure trove,” she testifies.

Labels range from Madonna’s Material Girl to Italy’s Max Mara. There are brand-new items also, including some knockout pieces from Toronto fashion designer Nina Mdivani, a friend of White’s.

Black lace pencil skirts and a selection of Ross Mayer cocktail dresses scream “holiday.” So does a Mad Men burgundy taffeta number priced at $98 from Light in the Box, an online shopping service, with its tags still on. Also new: a cute pair of shocking pink DKNY ballet flats with a rose on the toe.

I head to the dressing room with an armful of items, including a Max Mara cashmere sweater ($59).

I try on a suede and tweed hacking jacket from Etro ($69) but it is too small. A Ralph Lauren tweedy blazer is too Angela Lansbury in Murder She Wrote. But I fall hard for a red Burberry bomber jacket. Who can resist Burberry?

I’m definitely coming back to FGR Exchange. But next time, I’ll pack tea.

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